Wednesday(17)

The heat from the late afternoon sunshine beat down on my back. I’d been helping my crew clean boats all afternoon and was regretting not using sunscreen.

“Nice job today,” I said, tipping my ball cap as the newest member of my crew grabbed the last of the gear and trash left behind in a pontoon rental.

“Thanks, boss,” he said, hefting the items out past me and scurrying away.

With the bright sunlight, the gentle hum of the waves, the occasional call from a seagull, you’d think my thoughts would have been serene and tranquil. My mind was on other things, however. The deep, dark void inside me that sought solace in the company of Chloe. She was my sanctuary. And since she denied me the last time we were together, I was more than ready to be done with work for the day to partake in our ritual.

After a quick shower, I swung by that taco stand Chloe liked and picked us up some chicken-and-quinoa tacos with the green salsa she loved, along with a six-pack of beer, and headed to her place. It was just after six o’clock, and while I was early, I knew her routine well enough to predict that she was done with her workday and probably upstairs showering. That was fine. I could have a beer and wait.

Except there was no answer at her door. I sent her a text as I made my way downstairs. Maybe she was still working, or just hanging out with her brother. I knocked at the door to the main house and stood there holding our dinner. No answer there, either.

I peered through the window. It was quiet and still inside. What the hell? It was Wednesday, wasn’t it? I checked my phone again and saw there was still no response from my text.

Calling Jason was risky, but fuck it. I was too far gone to care.

He answered after the third ring. “Yeah?”

“Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Your sister. I swung by and no one was home.”

“No clue. Did you . . . need something?” he asked.

“Not really. I just grabbed some tacos from that place she liked, wanted to stop by.” That much was true, and seemed innocent enough.

“So you haven’t eaten yet?”

“No. Why?” I looked down at the bag of food in my hand.

“Because I have an idea . . .”

• • •

Ten minutes later I pulled into the parking lot of a well-known tourist bar. You know the type—little picnic tables right on the beach, fruity drinks with colorful paper umbrellas, and plenty of toned, tanned skin as far as the eye could see.

I hadn’t been here in years. The place was a meat market, and I had no interest in picking up some random girl, trying to make conversation and watching her face fall when I explained why I was single. Yet somehow here I was. At Jason’s request. I felt my temper rising, and the urge to punch something flared inside me, yet I put one foot in front of the other and headed toward the back patio.

“Over here,” Jason called, rising from his seat to wave at me.

Reluctantly I started toward them. He was seated next to a brunette, with his hand on her knee. Across from them, a blonde was perched in her chair, her legs crossed, looking bored. She was apparently the reason I was here.

“Hey, thanks for coming.” Jason reached out to give my hand a casual shake.

“Sure.” I was promised free dinner and drinks, and Jason said I’d be bailing him out of an awkward situation. The bastard. I didn’t sign up for some fucking double date.

“This is Sara,” he said, looking fondly at his date. “And that’s Lindsey.” He grinned at me with a smile that said you’re welcome.

“Hey,” I grunted, sliding down into the open seat next to Lindsey.

“Another round,” Jason said cheerily, signaling the waitress passing by.

Good fucking thing too. I needed a drink—or ten—right about now.

“Ladies, this is Shaw. As I mentioned before, he owns the big marina down on Lancaster Boulevard.”

He’d apparently been talking me up. I didn’t own the place—my parents did—but I didn’t argue.

“That must be so nice, working near the water all day,” Lindsey commented, shifting closer to me.

I looked at her for the first time. She actually appeared as out of place as I felt. Maybe she wasn’t any happier about this setup than I was. She had shoulder-length blond hair styled in loose waves and wide-set blue eyes. She was cute in a sort of innocent, girl-next-door way.

“I love the water, so it’s perfect for me,” I responded. “I couldn’t imagine working in an office all day. I’d rather be outside in the sun and the breeze.”

“Oh, I agree. I work for a florist, and we have a booth at the farmer’s market. I love it.”

“Cool.” I found myself smiling at her. “Are you hungry? I haven’t eaten yet.” The bag of tacos I’d bought for Chloe were stuffed into a trash can outside.